Caden waited.
"I want first crack at them," she said finally.
Her request was to be expected. Caden imagined if it was Darius or Braden who had been killed like Laurell, he would have torn the Broken Lands apart finding those responsible for their deaths.
And that was gentle compared to what he would have done had it been Eva or Fallon.
The world would have burned, and he would be the one holding the match.
"You've got it," Caden said.
Anticipation made a fleeting appearance in Fiona's expression before she schooled her features along more professional lines.
"Do not kill them," Caden warned, wanting to make that clear beyond a shadow of a doubt.
He didn't want her to claim ignorance later if she crossed the line.
Caden had no problem letting her work some of her aggression out, but his leeway only went so far. She knew what would happen if she overstepped. There wouldn't be a second chance.
"I have plans for them," he finished.
Fiona darted a quick glance at Ghost, delaying for only a moment before starting for the tent.
Ghost seemed almost hesitant before following.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Van asked in an idle voice. "She is a decent commander, but this isn't part of her skill set."
"She'll be fine," Caden said, only half paying attention to Van.
"Your herd mistress has changed you. I don't know whether to say you're getting soft or if you're more dangerous than ever. Either way, she's a weakness."
Caden didn't like the tone of Van's voice. There was a hint of darkness there that said the other man was considering how much of an advantage that knowledge gave him.
"Are we going to have a problem?" Caden asked, finally looking at the other man.
One side of Van's mouth tilted up, not intimidated in the slightest. "I don't know. Are we?"
This right here was why so many of Lion Clan had failed to win the mantle of clan leader from Van. He was as tricky in his own way as Fallon.
"What are you really doing here, Lion?" Caden asked.
Van made a show of looking around the camp. "Maybe I want what everyone wants. My very own Kyren mount and the glory they could bring me."
Unlikely.
The only glory Van cared about was the kind he could find standing on a battlefield. The Kyren meant nothing to him.
Seeing he hadn't convinced Caden, Van shrugged. "You could say my instincts led me here. The potential for battle is all around. I can hardly contain my shivers of excitement."
Van’s expression was one of ecstasy as he gave a full body quiver.
This was troubling. Van's penchant for sniffing out dangerous battlefields was well known among the Trateri.
There was a saying in their ranks. "When a Lion appears, blood is sure to follow."
Caden had no doubt that statement would hold true this time as well. Danger was coming for them—and Eva was stuck in the heart of it all.
Caden put aside his concerns, centering himself as he transferred his regard to Gawain, silent and watchful until now. "And you?"
Gawain's attention lingered on Van before he took in Caden. "You could say I'm along for the ride."
Why didn't Caden believe that?
He'd watched Gawain grow up. He'd gone from an innocent boy to one who moved through the ranks by manipulation and using those stronger than himself.
Maybe what had happened after Fallon's injury had been a wake-up call. Could be it had given Gawain an epiphany, but Caden wouldn't waste his breath hoping.
Some chances weren't worth taking. Not when his heart now rested outside of his chest.
Caden didn't have time to dwell further on the pair's motivations as Chirron approached with quiet footsteps.
"Look who it is." Van's teasing smile held an edge as he watched the healer glide toward them. "I didn't think you'd stoop to using your skills for such a purpose as this."
Chirron ignored him, directing his full attention to Caden. "What do you need from me?"
"There are two prisoners in that tent. I need you to keep them alive while we extract information from them," Caden said.
Chirron listened with a serious expression. "I will do my best."
"Doesn't helping him torture the prisoners violate your creed?" Van asked with an arch tone.
Chirron stiffened but didn't otherwise react to the clan leader's words. "Anything else?"
"That's all."
Chirron nodded. "I'll get started then."
Chirron turned toward the tent only to stop at finding Van standing squarely in his way. "Could you step back? You're in my way."
Van remained motionless for long seconds before abruptly grinning as he raised his hands and took an exaggerated step back. "This good enough?"
Chirron didn't look at the clan leader as he moved past.
"One day he's going to poison you, and I hope I'm around to see it," Gawain remarked as they watched the healer enter the tent.
Van's only response was a grunt.
Gawain shook his head, leaving the topic as they settled in to wait. Groans and pain filled shouts issued from the tent.
Eventually, Chirron emerged, wiping his blood-stained hands on a cloth. Seeing Caden, he headed for him as the other two straightened.
Chirron's face was tired as he met Caden's eyes. "I have no idea what was done to put them in the shape they're in. They have massive internal bleeding. I found several broken ribs and one has a broken arm."
Van whistled. "Looks like the Tenrin aren't kind to prisoners."
Chirron made a face that said he agreed. "That would be my conclusion as well."
"Will they hold up to questioning?" Caden asked.
As long as he got the information he wanted, he didn't care about anything else.
Chirron hesitated. "If you go easy on them. Otherwise, I can't vouch for whether they'll last long enough to give you the information you need."
Gawain's snort was sarcastic. "That's unlikely. Caden's methods are well known."
Van pulled his lips into a pouting frown. "What's the matter? Does this bring back bad memories?"
Caden stirred. "I never touched him."
Gawain's smile was wry. "You didn't have to. Your reputation was more than enough."
Van's laugh was an explosion of sound as he slapped Gawain on the shoulder. "I'm beginning to like this version of you. Much more palatable."
"I'm honored," Gawain drawled.
Caden ignored the two, stalking toward the tent and ducking inside.
Fiona looked up from the man she was crouched in front of to give Caden a respectful nod. Both men were bruised and battered, their faces a kaleidoscope of color Caden attributed to the Tenrin.
Jane and Drake stood on opposite sides of the tent, flanking the prisoners.
Ghost shifted, announcing his presence in the corner. "They're playing possum. They don't know that's our favorite game."
Fiona reached out, digging her fingers into an open wound. The man came awake with a scream.
Caden's smile was a terrifying thing. A level of peace and tranquility in it that should have conflicted with what he had planned.